Epithelial expression of vanilloid and cannabinoid receptors: a potential role in burning mouth syndrome pathogenesis

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is an intraoral
burning sensation for which presently no medical or
dental causes have been found, and in which the oral
mucosa appears normal. It remains an unknown disease
for which there is still no long-term treatment. The aim
of this study was to assess the epithelial alteration of
transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 1
(TRPV1) and cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and
type 2 (CB2) in the human tongue. The study was
performed on eight healthy controls and eight BMS
patients. All patients underwent a 3-mm punch biopsy at
the anterolateral aspect of the tongue close to the tip.
TRPV1, CB1 and CB2 immunohistochemistry was
carried out showing an altered expression of all
receptors. In BMS patients there was increased TRPV1,
decreased CB1 and increased CB2 expression in tongue
epithelial cells also associated with a change in their
distribution. It would appear that these receptors are
related to BMS. These data could be useful for future
characterization of BMS epithelial markers and therapy.